Inspiring Conversations with Jasmin Whitson of DonutNV Brentwood TN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmin Whitson

Hi Jasmin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Nashville born native, raised off of Jefferson St. My family and friends would probably say I had a lot of personality growing up and I never sat still for long. I’m a mother of one son, JT, whom I birthed two weeks prior to starting my degree at Tennessee State University, GO Tigers! I graduated in December 2004 with a B.S. in Family and Consumer Science concentration Fashion Merchandising (like many I’ve never worked in my chosen field). I met my husband in undergrad in 2004 , he was a student at Nashville State Community College and we married March 11, 2011. From 2004 -2018 I worked in Government, Non-Profit, and Corporate America, most of that time in healthcare. I got a A.A.S in Computer Networking from Nashville State Community College in December 2015. I had what we are now calling the Millennial Mid Life Crisis in 2018 at 36. My kid was turning 18, my husband worked in management (pulling long hours), and my friends still had small children (they were about that mom life, lol), and I felt unfulfilled in my career and purpose. Yes, I had the husband, the high 5 figure job, the house with the picket fence, and about to become an empty nester but I wasn’t happy. In all my years working I dreamt of being promoted to management because at the heart of it all I’m a teacher, coach, and cheerleader so naturally I thought management was the next step for my career trajectory but the path I saw for myself was not the path God laid out for me.

I began my entrepreneur journey at nine years old, my first business was a non profit. I had this Barbie toy where I would trace Barbie in different outfits and accessories (this is probably where I got my love of fashion) and sell the photo’s for $.10. I would then donate money to the Red Cross. Service to others was a trait I got from my grandparents Robert and Valdred. We would get up at early once a year to knock on doors in our community to collect money for the less fortunate (this was a collaboration between our church and several churches in the community). My grandmother also took care of so many in our community including feeding those who were hunger, housing those that needed some where to stay for awhile, and having a listening ear for those that needed a friend. I went own to do the typical things pre-teens and teens did for money babysitting, cleaning houses, retail, fast food etc. but by 12th grade I had loftier goals convincing my mom to sign up as a Mary Kay saleswomen so that I could sell makeup. This was my first direct sales job and I kind of failed miserably by not making any sales and using the makeup samples for myself.
Fast forward I start undergrad at TSU in 2000 with a full Presidential Scholarship in one hand and a bouncing baby boy in the other. Needless to say being a college student, having an infant, and working part time was a challenge but I had a great support system and a made up mind that I would complete my college education. I finished school in 4 and a half years and shortly after obtaining my first “real job.” During the course of working full time I always had side hustles. I sold Avon, I bought jewelry wholesale and resold it, and bartended but it didn’t dawn on me that I could work for myself as an occupation until 2018.

What lead up to 2018? Well I’m glad you asked! I was in the process of obtaining a second degree in computer networking, I had taken a pay cut to become an intern to get IT experience (women, in my opinion. often undervalue our education and experience and think we have to have a million different degrees when quite often we have much more experience and skill than is required for the position or career choice we seek). I was interning with one of the largest healthcare companies in the country and they asked me to accept a full-time position. I accepted the position and two weeks later another hire was made, he was a male, he had no IT experience, no degree, no relevant experience, he didn’t know how to turn on a computer or bring up Outlook. I heard my boss make him a offer for a position of a senior analyst and give him a pay rate $28,000 more a year than I. This gentleman was a Pepsi delivery person prior and when he was onboarded I was expected to train him. Then I few weeks later another gentleman was hired same circumstance in a position higher than mine and was paid $17,000 more a year than I and I was expected to train him as well This was my catalyst. I couldn’t reason in my mind how I the person with the most experience, education, working knowledge, skill, and all around pretty awesome person could be the lowest paid. I immediately became angry and felt like I lived in this angry place for the following 3 years (2015-2018). Then I got a revelation listening to a podcast on day. The gentleman on the pod cast had a similar situation to mine and he told himself, why do I keep trying to climb the latter when I can just build my own. That stuck with me and from that point forward I started to build my own later.
From 2018-2023 I opened a several businesses closed/paused a few but ultimately I was able to begin working for myself fulltime as of 08/01/2023 and I haven’t looked back.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is never a smooth road. You either adapt of die (not necessarily a physical death but it could be a mental, emotional, or spiritual). I’ve always be a person that could adopt change very quickly because I had to be to make myself and my skills marketable. It was challenging having a kid and finishing undergrad in 4.5 years. It was challenging going in to Information Technology after years of working in Social Services. It was challenging knowing you’ re the most qualified person for a position but you get passed over each time. It’s also extremely challenging to become a full time entrepreneur when you haven’t seen anyone in your immediate family or friend group do so. The great thing is I’m always up for a challenge, that’s how you build your mental muscles.

As you know, we’re big fans of DonutNV Brentwood TN. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I co-own three businesses with my husband Dre; Homes by Jasmin LLC, Whitson Professional Services LLC, and DonutNV Brentwood TN. Homes by Jasmin is a property management company for properties my husband and I own (Short Term Rentals). Whitson Professional Services LLC is a commercial cleaning company. DonutNV Brentwood TN is an interactive mobile food trailer service fresh hot mini donuts and refreshing lemonade. Most of my time is spent with DonutNV Brentwood, we are completely mobile which I love because we have to opportunity to pull up anywhere and serve. We do catering as well as open vending at schools, churches, businesses, festivals, races, concerts, private parties. youth sporting events, weddings, or any event that needs a SWEET touch. What makes us special is our service and our quality products, you’ll always get greeted by a smile and a warm donut. Our lemonades are made daily on the trailer and come in 10 refreshing flavors. We’re most proud of the little bit of joy we can give to our customers packaged in a small, round, sweet, hot, delicious treat.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Grit, once I determine I’m going to do something it will get done. Also, integrity I try to do what I said I would do, this goes a long way in relationship building.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://donutnv.com/location/brentwood-tn/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donutnvbrentwoodtn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DonutNVBrentwoodTN/